mta a train stops
Ever Ridden the A Train and Thought, “This Car’s Seen More Boroughs Than My Therapist’s Notes”?
You’re squished next to a saxophonist’s case, a dude in full Knicks gear mutterin’ play-by-plays to himself, and someone’s lunch that *definitely* didn’t survive the transfer at 59th—and yet? The mta a train stops keep rollin’ like it’s got a personal vendetta against stillness. Ain’t that somethin’? The mta a train stops span *three boroughs*, clock *over 30 miles*, and still manage to smell faintly of roasted peanuts and ambition. It’s not just a subway line—it’s the city’s longest-running soap opera, with better scenery and slightly worse Wi-Fi.
Where Does the A Train Stop in NYC? Let’s Map This Like We’re Plotting a Heist (But for Bagels)
Alright—grab your MetroCard and your courage. The mta a train stops stretch from **Inwood–207th Street** (Upper Manhattan) all the way down to either **Far Rockaway** or **Lefferts Blvd** in *Queens*—yes, *Queens*. That’s **48 stations** total, split into two southern branches after Howard Beach. Think of it like a river delta: one soul, two destinies. Key Manhattan stops? 125th, 59th, 42nd (Port Authority), 34th (Penn), 14th (14th St), and *West 4th*—where the A, C, E, B, D, F, and M all converge like a transit Avengers team-up. The mta a train stops? They’re not just dots on a map—they’re neighborhood doorways.
What Stops Are on the A Line? A Love Letter to Every Platform, Pole, and Pigeon
Here’s the full roster—not ranked, just revered:
- Manhattan: Inwood–207th, Dyckman, 190th, 181st, 175th (The Cloisters shuttle!), 168th (Columbia Med), 155th, 145th, 125th (Harlem heartbeat), 59th (Columbus Circle glam), 42nd (Port Authority chaos), 34th (Penn Station rush), 23rd, 14th, West 4th, Spring, Canal, Chambers, Fulton, High St (Brooklyn Bridge views).
- Brooklyn: Jay St–MetroTech, Hoyt–Schermerhorn, Lafayette Ave, Clinton–Washington, Franklin Ave, Nostrand Ave, King’s Hwy, 88th, 104th, Beach 44th, Beach 60th, Beach 67th, Beach 90th, Rockaway Park.
- Queens (Far Rockaway branch): Howard Beach → Broad Channel → Beach 25th → Far Rockaway (hello, ocean breeze).
- Queens (Lefferts Blvd branch): Howard Beach → Conduit Ave → Lefferts Blvd (hello, JFK perimeter).
Is MTA A Train or Subway? Or Did We Just Enter a Philosophy Seminar?
Let’s cut through the jargon fog: the **MTA** (*Metropolitan Transportation Authority*) is the *agency*—like the principal of a very large, slightly chaotic high school. The **A train** is one of its *subway services*—a blue-labeled hero runnin’ on the Eighth Avenue Line. So no—the A isn’t “the MTA.” It’s *part* of the MTA’s subway division, alongside 23 other letter/number services. Think of it like this: 🍕 *MTA = Domino’s* 🍕 *Subway system = the whole menu* 🍕 *A train = the “Build Your Own” that *actually* delivers on time* The mta a train stops are where that promise lands—daily, reliably, and occasionally with jazz piped through the speakers (true story: 125th St platform has a saxophone loop).
Are the A and C Trains the Same? Let’s Settle This Over a Dollar Slice
Short answer? *Siblings—not twins.* Both run on the Eighth Ave Line (blue), share almost all Manhattan/Brooklyn stops, and wear the same color like matching hoodies. But the mta a train stops go *express* north of 59th St and *all the way to the beach*; the C is local-only and taps out at Euclid Ave in Brooklyn. So:
| Feature | A Train | C Train |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Express (north) + Local (south) | Local (all day) |
| Hours | 24/7 | 6 a.m.–1 a.m. |
| Southern Terminus | Far Rockaway / Lefferts Blvd | Euclid Ave |
| Total Stops | 48 | 29 |
What Time Does the A Train Run? Midnight Rides, Early Birds, and That One Conductor Who Nods Like He Knows Your Whole Life Story
Here’s the glory: the mta a train stops serve riders **24 hours a day, 7 days a week**—*unlike* its sibling, the C. Even at 3 a.m., when the city’s pretending to sleep, the A’s out here doin’ lap after lap like a loyal dog. Night service runs local the *entire* route (no express), but hey—for $2.90, you’re gettin’ AC (sometimes), safety rails (always), and front-row seats to NYC’s after-hours glow. Pro tip: the Far Rockaway branch runs less frequently overnight (~20 mins), but the Lefferts Blvd branch holds steady at ~10. Pack patience. And maybe gum.
Which mta a train stops Are ADA-Accessible? Let’s Talk Ramps, Not Roadblocks
Progress, folks—slow, caffeinated, but *real*. As of late 2025, these mta a train stops are fully ADA-compliant:
- ✅ Inwood–207th St – elevator + ramped mezzanine
- ✅ 168th St – elevator to Columbia Med campus
- ✅ 59th St–Columbus Circle – full access + transfer to 1/B/D
- ✅ 34th St–Penn Station – Moynihan Hall integration
- ✅ Fulton St – downtown hub, elevators galore
- ✅ Howard Beach – new 2024 elevators for AirTrain transfers
- ✅ Far Rockaway – renovated platform + bus loop
Fun Facts About the mta a train stops That’ll Win You Free Coffee (or at Least Respect)
Drop one of these and watch the group chat go silent: • The A is NYC’s *longest* subway line by distance—31 miles tip-to-tip. • At 190th St, you descend 140 ft via *elevators*—not stairs. It’s like entering a Bond villain’s lair (but with MetroCards). • During Hurricane Sandy, the Rockaway branch was rebuilt in 18 months—the fastest major transit recovery in U.S. history. • The A serves *four* major airports indirectly: LGA (via 42nd St + bus), JFK (via Howard Beach + AirTrain), EWR (via Penn + NJT), and ISP (via Babylon LIRR transfer). And our personal fave? The mta a train stops move more riders annually than the entire Chicago ‘L’ system. Mic drop.
Pro Tips for Riding the mta a train stops Like You Were Born in a Turnstile
Listen close—this is subway gospel:
- Branch confusion? Check the destination sign: *“Far Rockaway”* vs. *“Lefferts Blvd.”* They split at Howard Beach—no take-backs.
- Uptown express? North of 59th, the A skips 145th, 155th, and 163rd. The C stops at all. Know the difference.
- Beach day hack: Ride the A to Rockaway Park on weekends—MTA runs *extra cars* with bike racks and open windows.
- Signal delays? The A’s most prone between Jay St and Hoyt–Schermerhorn. Bring a book. Or a podcast about… well, subway delays.
Where to Go Deeper on the mta a train stops? We Got Your Back (and Your MetroCard)
If this deep-dive left you thirsty for more (or just wonderin’ if the A *really* smells like salt air and hope once it hits the Rockaways—*it does*), we got resources. Start at the mothership: Subway Life, where transit truth-tellers gather and no question’s too niche. Dive into our full archive under Transit, or geek out on Lexington Ave efficiency with 4 5 6 Train Stops Guide NYC Commutes. Trust us—once you start trackin’ signal upgrades and platform retrofits, there’s no goin’ back. (And honestly? We wouldn’t want you to.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the A train stop in NYC?
The mta a train stops run from **Inwood–207th Street** in Upper Manhattan to either **Far Rockaway** or **Lefferts Blvd** in Queens—via Harlem, Midtown, Lower Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, and the Rockaways. Key stops include 125th St, 59th St (Columbus Circle), 34th St (Penn), West 4th, Fulton St, Howard Beach, and Rockaway Park. Total: 48 stations across 3 boroughs.
What stops are on the A line?
The full mta a train stops list includes: Inwood–207th, Dyckman, 190th, 181st, 175th, 168th, 155th, 145th, 125th, 59th, 42nd, 34th, 23rd, 14th, West 4th, Spring, Canal, Chambers, Fulton, High St, Jay St, Hoyt–Schermerhorn, Lafayette, Clinton–Washington, Franklin, Nostrand, King’s Hwy, 88th, 104th, Beach 44th/60th/67th/90th, Rockaway Park—or via Howard Beach to Far Rockaway/Lefferts Blvd. All stops are documented by the MTA and updated quarterly.
Is MTA a train or subway?
The MTA (*Metropolitan Transportation Authority*) is the *agency* that operates NYC’s subways, buses, and commuter rails. The **A train** is one of 24 subway *services* run by the MTA—specifically, the blue-labeled express/local line on the Eighth Avenue corridor. So no—the A isn’t “the MTA.” It’s a *part* of the MTA subway system. Like peanut butter is part of a PB&J—not the whole sandwich.
Are the A and C trains the same?
No—the mta a train stops and C train share tracks and most stations in Manhattan/Brooklyn, but differ critically: the A is **express** north of 59th St and runs **24/7** to Queens; the C is **local only**, runs **6 a.m.–1 a.m.**, and ends at Euclid Ave in Brooklyn. They’re siblings with different curfews and life goals. Confuse ‘em, and you’ll miss your beach day—or your Med School interview. Choose wisely.
References
- https://new.mta.info/schedules/subway/a
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/mome/industry/se/transportation.page
- https://www.transitcenter.org/reports/longest-subway-lines-us-2024
- https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/History_of_the_A_Train